Dear Editor,

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the UK.  In fact, a survey* commissioned by Mental Health Foundation in late 2022 found that a quarter of adults in the UK (25%) feel so anxious that it stops them doing the things they need, or want to do, most or all of the time. Six in ten adults feel this way at least occasionally.

That’s why, this Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May 2023) we will be focusing on anxiety. We will be encouraging people to share their experiences, and what has helped, with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.

By having a national conversation about anxiety during Mental Health Awareness Week, we hope people will better understand how anxiety is affecting them, what they can do to calm feelings of anxiety, and feel more comfortable in seeking support.

We invite people to find out more about anxiety and how to get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week by going to our website
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw. There are several resources available including a downloadable publication with expert guidance on how to manage anxiety.

Yours sincerely

Dr Jenny Burns
Associate Director (Wales) Mental Health Foundation